Preparation of phosphonium salts

ABSTRACT

Phosphonium salts are prepared by reacting an alkanol with triarylphosphine and sulfonic acids in a solvent.

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/130,521, filed Aug. 7, 1998, now allowed.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing 5 3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,4,6,10-tetraen-1-ylphosphonium salts, to the corresponding phosphonium salts, and to a process for preparing lycopene.

As a rule, the C₁₅-phosphonium salts for synthesizing carotenoids are prepared from vinylcarbinols by reaction with triphenylphosphine and a strong acid such as HCl or H₂SO₄ in protic solvents (see, for example, J. Chem. Soc., 1965, 2019-2026). Unlike vinyl-β-ionol, which is a precursor used for synthesizing vitamin A and β-carotene, it is possible to react vinylpseudoionol as precursor for preparing lycopene under these standard conditions only with poor yields and with low E/Z selectivities to give the corresponding C₅-phosphonium salts.

EP 382 067 describes a process in which C₁₅-phosphonium salts of lower alkanoic acids are prepared as intermediates because the salts which are mentioned of strong acids always give poor E/Z selectivities and, in the subsequent preparation of lycopene, low yields (byproducts). The salts of the alkanoic acids must be converted back into the chlorides (anion exchange) in an elaborate procedure before the subsequent Wittig reaction. In addition, to obtain a high E/Z ratio in the lycopene, it is necessary to remove (Z) contributions to the phosphonium salt by crystallization.

DE-B 27 29 974 discloses a process for preparing aqueous solutions of polyenyltriarylphosphonium salts of strong acids in acetic acid (see Example 3), although no 3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,4,6,10-tetraen-1-ylphosphonium salts, nor any alkanesulfonic acid, are mentioned in the Examples.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a process for preparing phosphonium salts, which in one step results in 3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,4,6,10-tetraen-1-ylphosphonium salts which have a high E content and which give high E/Z selectivities on further reaction to lycopene.

We have found that this object is achieved by a process for preparing phosphonium salts of the formula I

where

R is aryl and

X^(⊖) is C_(n)H_(2n+1)—SO₃ ^(⊖) with n=1-4, Ar—SO₃ ^(⊖) with Ar=phenyl, tolyl or CF₃—SO₃ ^(⊖),

which comprises reacting an alcohol of the formula II

with triarylphosphine and sulfonic acids of the formulae

C_(n)H_(2n+1)—SO₃H, Ar—SO₃H oder CF₃—SO₃H,

where n and Ar have the abovementioned meanings, in a solvent.

This usually entails adding the alcohol to the sulfonic acid in the solvent.

The sulfonic acids which are preferably used are alkanesulfonic acids, eg. ethane- or methanesulfonic acid, especially the industrially available methanesulfonic acid (70%). The reaction is preferably carried out in an alkanecarboxylic acid as solvent, particularly suitable alkanecarboxylic acids having 1-8 carbon atoms, especially acetic acid and propionic acid.

The invention also relates to phosphonium salts of the formula I

where R is aryl and X^(⊖) is C_(n)H_(2n+1)—SO₃ ^(⊖) with n=1-4, or CF₃—SO₃ ^(⊖), in particular CH₃—SO₃ ^(⊖). The term “aryl” means aryl radicals usually occurring in phosphines, such as phenyl, tolyl, naphthyl, each unsubstituted or substituted, especially phenyl.

The invention furthermore relates to a process for preparing lycopene, which comprises reacting a phosphonium salt of the formula I having the meanings for R, X, Ar and n stated in claim 1 with 2,7-dimethyl-2,4,6-octatrienedial.

It is possible by the process according to the invention to convert vinylpseudoionol of the formula II with, for example, methanesulfonic acid in glacial acetic acid into the corresponding phosphonium methanesulfonate in yields of 85-90% and with an E/Z selectivity of 3.7:1. The salt obtained in this way is immediately suitable for Wittig reaction with 2,7-dimethyl-2,4,6-octatrienedial to prepare lycopene, it being possible to dispense with additional steps such as anion exchange or enrichment of the E component by additional crystallization.

It was surprising that these advantageous results can be obtained with strong acids like the sulfonic acids, since it is stated in EP 382 067 A1 that the preparation of lycopene from salts of strong acids, mentioning halides, sulfates or phosphates, gives only low yields, with formation of unreactive byproducts especially in the preparation of the phosphonium salts (see page 2, lines 5-9). In the process according to the invention it is usual to add vinylpseudoionol (alcohol of the formula II) dropwise to the sulfonic acid, resulting in a high E/Z selectivity.

The process according to the invention is carried out in particular at from 20 to 120° C., preferably at 60 to 100°C., in a conventional way.

The alcohol of the formula II (3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-1,4,6,10-tetraen-3-ol) is also referred to as vinyl-Ψ-ionol or vinylpseudoionol and is disclosed, for example, in J. Chem. Soc. 1965, 2023 or EP 382 067. It can be obtained by known methods from pseudoionone.

The phosphonium salt of the formula I is preferably in the all-E form.

The lycopene prepared by the process according to the invention is used in a conventional way as coloring agent for human or animal foods, as antioxidant or as nutraceutical.

EXAMPLE 1

A mixture of 41.9 g of triphenylphosphine, 13.7 g of methanesulfonic acid (70% strength) and 100 ml of acetic acid was heated to 80° C. and then, over the course of 10 minutes, 24.2 g of 3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-1,4E,6E,10-tetraen-3-ol (91% pure) were added. The mixture was then stirred for 30 minutes before distilling off the acetic acid under 50 mbar. The residue, consisting of 3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,4,6,10-tetraen-1-yl -triphenylphosphonium methanesulfonate, was taken up in 100 ml of toluene, which was then likewise distilled off under 50 mbar, to remove the last residues of acetic acid. This procedure was then repeated once more. The residue was taken up in 25 ml of methanol and extracted once with 100 ml, and four times with 50 ml each time, of heptane. The methanolic solution containing the required product was investigated by HPLC with an internal standard. Analysis revealed 50.7 g (90.4%) of 3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,4,6,10-tetraen-1-yltriphenylphosphonium methanesulfonate consisting of 39.8 g (71.0%) of all-E isomer, 5.69 g (10.1%) of 6Z isomer and 5.22 g (9.3%) of 2Z isomer. The ratio of the E isomer to the Z isomers is accordingly 3.7:1.

EXAMPLE 2

A mixture of 39.3 g of triphenylphosphine, 15.1 g of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid and 100 ml of acetic acid was heated to 80° C. and then, over the course of 10 minutes, 23.2 g of (95% pure) 3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-1,4E,6E,10-tetraen-3-ol were added. The mixture was then stirred for 30 minutes before the reaction solution was analyzed by HPLC with an internal standard for content and selectivity. The solution contained 56.7 g (92.2%) of 3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,4,6,10-tetraen-1-yl -triphenylphosphonium trifluoromethanesulfonate consisting of 43.7 g (71.1%) of all-E isomer, 6.33 g (10.3%) of 6Z isomer and 6.64 g (10.8%) of 2Z isomer. The E isomer/Z isomers ratio is accordingly 3.4:1.

EXAMPLE 3

A mixture of 39.3 g of triphenylphosphine, 19.0 g of p-toluenesulfonic acid and 100 ml of acetic acid was heated to 80° C. and then, over the course of 10 minutes, 23.2 g of (95% pure) 3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-1,4E,6E,10-tetraen-3-ol were added. The mixture was then stirred for 30 minutes before the reaction solution was analyzed by HPLC with an internal standard for content and selectivity. The solution contained 53.5 g (84.0%) of 3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,4,6,10-tetraen-1-yl-triphenylphosphonium p-toluenesulfonate consisting of 41.5 g (65.2%) of all-E isomer, 6.39 g (10.0%) of 6Z isomer and 5.59 g (8.8%) of 2Z isomer. The E isomer/Z isomers ratio is accordingly 3.5:1.

EXAMPLE 4

A mixture of 41.9 g of triphenylphosphine, 11.0 g of ethanesulfonic acid and 100 ml of acetic acid was heated to 80° C. and then, over the course of 10 minutes, 24.5 g of (90% pure) 3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-1,4E,6E,10-tetraen-3-ol were added. The mixture was then stirred for 30 minutes before the reaction solution was analyzed by HPLC with an internal standard for content and selectivity. The solution contained 49.2 g (85.6%) of 3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,4,6,10-tetraen-1-yl-triphenylphosphonium ethanesulfonate consisting of 38.8 g (67.5%) of all-E isomer, 5.62 g (9.8%) of 6Z isomer and 4.76 g (8.3%) of 2Z isomer. The E isomer/Z isomers ratio is accordingly 3.7:1.

EXAMPLE 5

A mixture of 41.9 g of triphenylphosphine, 13.9 g of methanesulfonic acid (69.2% pure) and 100 ml of propionic acid was heated to 80° C. and then, over the course of 10 minutes, 24.5 g of (90% pure) 3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-1,4E,6E,10-tetraen-3-ol were added. The mixture was then stirred for 30 minutes before the reaction solution was analyzed by HPLC with an internal standard for content and selectivity. The solution contained 49.9 g (89.0%) of 3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,4,6,10-tetraen-1-yl -triphenylphosphonium methanesulfonate consisting of 39.5 g (70.4%) of all-E isomer, 5.81 g (10.3%) of 6z isomer and 4.60 g (8.2%) of 2Z isomer. The E isomer/z isomers ratio is accordingly 3.8:1.

Comparative Example

Example 1 of EP 372 067 was reproduced several times as stated in the publication. Before enrichment of the E isomer, the C15-phosphonium salt was obtained in a yield of 70 to 80% with an E/Z ratio of 2.4-2.6:1. 

We claim:
 1. A phosphonium salt of the formula I

where R is aryl and X^(⊖) is C_(n)H_(2n+1)—SO₃ ^(⊖) with n=1-4 or CF₃—SO₃ ^(⊖).
 2. A phosphonium salt as claimed in claim 1, wherein R is phenyl and C_(n)H_(2n+1) is methyl. 